American Samoa hospital fee increases delayed

American Samoa's LBJ Medical Center has deferred the proposed fee increases that were initially set to become effective next Monday.

When the hospital last month published a notice of intent to hike fees, more than 25 requests for a public hearing were received by the LBJ.

The hospital says it will conduct a public hearing to give the people an opportunity to present their views on the proposed increases, which will see some fees, such as outpatient clinic charges doubling.

LBJ officials say the hearing is set for June the 8th at the hospital chapel and the proposed hike will be deferred until the board has had an opportunity to consider the comments.